Food & Drink

The Portuguese and Swiss-Italian ranchers who settled in the Santa Maria Valley created a signature cuisine featuring succulent beef grilled over a red oak fire. Arriving on their heels at the dawn of the 20th century, Japanese farmers brought with them an equally compelling culinary tradition that showcases ocean-fresh fish and just-picked vegetables.   Since […]

Over the millennia, wine has fueled countless fancies and big adventures, some noble and others just plain crazy. Among the more recent and distinctly noble of these enterprises, Vino de Sueños (“wine of dreams”) aims to fulfill the needs of the region’s hardworking vineyard and farm laborers.   Conceived under the auspices of People Helping […]

Each fall on the Central Coast, a group of amateur chefs delivers a display of culinary wizardry with a distinctly masculine flair. With October well underway, it’s time to head to the westernmost wilds of Solvang for Real Men Cook, a vital fundraiser disguised as a friendly competition and local wine showcase. Slated for Oct. […]

Leaves turn from green to crimson and pumpkins smile a bright orange, signaling that the end of harvest is near. As wine growers across Santa Barbara County gather the last of their juicy, ripe grapes, they weigh in with their thoughts on the merits and promise of the vintage of 2009. Despite some uneven temperatures, […]

Wearing bright hues of yellow, green, or sun-struck orange, the gourds, pumpkins, and winter squash of autumn set the tone for the colorful season ahead. As sure as baseball comes to an end and leaves tumble to the ground, these rotund fruits—potent symbols of harvest bounty everywhere they grow—make their way into our soups, dinners, […]

Machine harvesters ply the vineyards by night and hand crews snip grape clusters by day, yet despite the rigors of crush, Santa Barbara County’s busy winemakers find time for a party. During the second weekend of October, local vintners invite wine lovers everywhere to join them for their annual Celebration of Harvest at Rancho Sisquoc […]

On the heels of September, officially known as California Wine Month, come 31 days devoted to all things edible in Santa Barbara County. Throughout October, organizers of “epicure.sb: a month to savor santa barbara” invite locals and visitors alike to take advantage of more than 100 ways to experience the cuisine, libations, and culture that […]

I first heard about the excellent food at Rancho Nipomo from winemaker Ardison Phillips of McKeon-Phillips winery. Sometime later, I was reminded of it by winemaker Ariki “Rick” Hill of Labyrinth, who spoke highly of it. Then I read a glowing review by Teri Bayus in Grover Beach, and I thought, “I’ve got to try […]

Just in time to kick off the festivities of fall, Nipomo weighs in with an event sure to please locals who harbor a taste for fun dished up with a dose of spice. On Sept. 19, the Olde Towne Nipomo Association proudly presents its first-ever Chili Cook-Off, a community-wide gathering of ambitious cooks and hungry […]

Among the early, brave souls to tackle winemaking in Santa Barbara County, Bill Wathen and Dick Doré turned a messy hobby into a booming business. In the nearly 30 years since they slid a fresh cork into their first bottle of wine, the pair has earned global fame as “the Foxen boys.”   “I remember, […]

An oasis of high-test coffees and wholesome eats, Café Monet has been serving Santa Maria for nearly 20 years. Beloved for its relaxed atmosphere and affable staff, the café entered a fresh era when new owners took over in February 2009.   Six months after buying Café Monet, Katie and Rick Renaud have proved their […]

Take one freelance writer, give her an assignment that requires happy conversation, a look at local history, and (heaven be praised!) the thoughtful sipping of wine, and watch a smile sweep across her face. That writer was me, a year ago this month, when a soft-spoken editor from Sonoma offered me a job.   I […]